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GOAL!: The must-see games of the spring

Jeb Brovsky of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC is hit in the face by C.J. Sapong #17 of Sporting Kansas City on June 25, 2011 at LiveStrong Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

Photograph by: G. Newman Lowrance
, Getty Images

Tonight vs. Sporting Kansas City

Venue: B.C. Place

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

TV: SNET PAC; Radio: TEAM 1410; Mobile: Bell

The skinny: Coming off their first loss of the season, what better bounce-back test for the Whitecaps than the best team in the league? Kansas City comes to town at 6-0-0. Only the 1996 L.A. Galaxy have matched that start. Nine goals for, one against, and a 1-0 victory in Saturday's statement game against Real Salt Lake, the top team in the Western Conference. Graham Zusi, with six assists already, pulls the strings, while Kei Kamara and C.J. Sapong each have three goals.

Sat., April 21 vs. FC Dallas

Venue: B.C. Place

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

TV: SNET PAC; Radio: TEAM 1410; Mobile: Bell

The skinny: Martin Rennie's first two-game week closes out with Dallas at home, one of the teams the Whitecaps could well be battling for a playoff spot with. Will Rennie push most of his starters into action for a second time, or use this game to see which of his reserves are ready to step up? Dallas has been up and down this season but is coming off back-to-back wins. Last year's MVP candidate Brek Shea has started slowly but Panamanian international signing Blas Perez has three goals and three assists.

Sat., April 28 vs. Columbus Crew

Venue: Columbus Crew Stadium

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. PT

TV: SNET PAC; Radio: TEAM 1410; Mobile: Bell

The skinny: The Whitecaps lost both games to Columbus last season, 2-1 in Ohio and 1-0 back at Empire Field. But the biggest disappointment in this matchup for some was the fact Caps' winger Michael Nanchoff missed out on his hometown trip due to injury. He's again coming off injury, this time it's his heel, but he expects to be back in time. He'd better be. Team Nanchoff ticket sales have eclipsed 400!

Wed., May 2 at FC Edmonton

Venue: Commonwealth Stadium

Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT

TV: SNET PAC, WEST; Radio: TEAM 1410; Mobile: Bell

The skinny: With Toronto a shambles and expansion Montreal struggling, this is undoubtedly Vancouver's year to win the Amway Canadian Championship. Anything less will be a bitter disappointment — even more so than last year's rained-out, replayed debacle in Toronto, if that's possible. The journey to CONCACAF Champions League qualification starts against Edmonton of the NASL, who feature former Caps Kyle Porter and Alex Semenets.

Sat., May 5 vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Venue: B.C. Place

Kickoff: 4 p.m.

TV: SNET PAC; Radio: TEAM 1410; Mobile: Bell

The skinny: Everyone expected Salt Lake and Kansas City to be among MLS's top teams. San Jose has been perhaps the biggest surprise. Frank Yallop's side have been tougher to break down, and they're always deadly in attack with Chris Wondolowski lurking. He's tied for the MLS lead with seven goals, though he could miss the speed of former Whitecaps winger Shea Salinas, who suffered a broken collar bone thanks to a Rafa Marques bear hug tackle.

Wed., May 9 vs. FC Edmonton

Venue: B.C. Place

Kickoff: 8 p.m.

TV: SNET PAC; Radio: TEAM 1410; Mobile: Bell

The skinny: With an MLS road game three days later on the east coast, Caps' coach Martin Rennie would like nothing more than to have carried a comfortable lead into this game from the May 2 series opener. Then he could perhaps consider resting some bodies. The winner will advance to face either Toronto or Montreal for the Voyageurs Cup and the right to represent Canada in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Sat., May 12 at New England Revolution

Venue: Gillette Stadium

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. PT

TV: SNET ONE; Radio: TEAM 1410; Mobile: Bell

The skinny: Vancouver's road form is much better to start 2012 and, although this is a long trip, it sets up as a winnable game. Jay Heaps' Revs have been difficult to figure out. A surprising 3-1 win at defending MLS Cup champions L.A. was perhaps as much about the Galaxy's poor defence as a Revs' renaissance. Still, the Revs can cause trouble with Benny Feilhaber and Shalrie Joseph in midfield, and Lee Nguyen will be fired up having been released by the Caps in pre-season.

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